Botafogo FR
Botafogo FR (BOT)
Overview
Botafogo de Futebol e Regatas, commonly called Botafogo or simply Fogo, is a Brazilian football club based in Rio de Janeiro. Founded in 1894 as a rowing club and merged with a football club in 1942, Botafogo plays at Estádio Nilton Santos, also known as Engenhão, a 46,931-capacity stadium.
Botafogo is one of Rio de Janeiro's four major clubs, with a glorious history marked by 2 Brazilian championship titles and 21 Rio State (Carioca) championships. The club also won the Copa Libertadores in 2024, its first major continental title, marking a return to the summit of South American football.
Botafogo's black and white colors are emblematic of Brazilian football. Nicknamed "Glorioso" (The Glorious), "Alvinegro" (Black and White), and "Estrela Solitária" (Lonely Star) in reference to its logo, the club embodies Carioca elegance and tradition with offensive football based on technique.
The club experienced its golden age in the 1950s-1960s, a period during which it produced legends like Garrincha, Didi, and Nilton Santos. This historic team dominated Brazilian football and provided the backbone of Brazil's team that won the 1958 and 1962 World Cups.
After decades of difficulties marked by financial problems, Botafogo has experienced a spectacular renaissance thanks to John Textor's arrival in 2022, allowing the club to return to the summits of Brazilian and continental football with the 2024 Copa Libertadores victory.